Quantitative and qualitative analysis of collagen types in the fascia transversalis of inguinal hernia patients.

Background: Inguinal hernia is the second most common surgical case in our field. The anatomical factors alone are not enough to explain the inguinal hernia. Studies show changes in the proportion and quantity of collagen fibers in the developing of inguinal hernia. The greater production of collagen type III compared to the type I could justify the thinning of the fascia transversalis and its weakness.

Aim: To determine the quantitative and qualitative changes of collagen in the fascia transversalis in inguinal hernia patients and compare them to findings from corpses without inguinal hernia.

Method: Prospective case-control study based on the biopsy of fascia transversalis of 27 patients and 24 corpses. The technique used was hematoxylin-eosin and picrosirius colorimetry.

Results: The medium percent area of collagen (types I + III) and collagen type I, in both groups, show no statistic difference. The quantity of collagen type III was greater in the patients. Patients classified with Nyhus IIIa presented greater quantity of collagen type III.

Conclusion: There is no significant difference in the quantity of collagen in the fascia transversalis of patients compared to the controls. An increase in the quantity of collagen type III was found in patients with inguinal hernia and a greater quantity in those patients classified with Nyhus IIIa.